Tag: holly webb

Monthly TBRs

April Wrap Up!

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Happy Sunday bookish people! I hope you’re all having a good day. Today I am bringing you my April wrap up and I’m so glad to say that my reading has been a little bit better this month, not amazing to the extent that I was at this time last year but so much better than March and February. So I’m going to get straight into which books I did and didn’t read in April!

  • Small Favours by Erin A Craig – I did not read this book – I just wasn’t in the mood for this style of plot this month
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas – I finally managed to read this book, my review for it will be up soon but I really enjoyed it
  • Daughters of Night by Laura Shepard-Robinson – I have started this book but I haven’t finished it yet, it’s a pretty big book so it might take me some time
  • Rose by Holly Webb – I did read this book
  • there was a non-bookish prompt and for this I had a nice warm bath and I watched some videos
  • Lily by Rose Tremain – I did read this book too so a review of this book will also be up soon
  • The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros – I did not read this book
  • The Mapmakers by Tamzin Merchant – I read this book too!
  • Down Comes the Night by Alison Saft – I did not read this book
  • Nine Lives by Peter Swanson – I did not read this book and I’m sad about that because I am really excited for it
  • Queenslayer by Sebastien de Castell – I am currently 3/4 of the way through this book and it is also on my May tbr so I will be finishing it in the next few days
  • An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir – I did not read this book
  • The Five – I did not read this book
  • A Marvelous Light by Freya Marske – I did not read this book but it is on my May tbr
  • Cecily by Annie Garthwaite – Again I didn’t read this book but it is on my May tbr
  • Only A Monster by Vanessa Len – I didn’t read this book
  • Assassins Apprentice by Robin Hobb – I did not read this book
  • Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore – I did read this book!
  • An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson – I did not read this book
  • Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody – I did not read this book – I did take it all the way to London with me and then still didn’t read it
  • House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J Maas – I did not read this

So that was what I did and didn’t read in April. I ended up reading 5 books and started two others, one of which I will finish in a few days so I am really happy with that.

Book Reviews

Book Review: Rose by Holly Webb

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Happy Monday bookish people! I hope you are all having a good day today. I am bringing you my review of Rose by Holly Webb, a series about a young girl from an orphanage in Victorian London (I think) who goes to work in the house of a magician.

In this book review I will give star ratings to four categories and I will write a little about each one. I will try to keep it as spoiler free as possible. I hope you enjoy my book review.

Rose Plot:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I like that the plot of this story really has three strands to it: Rose leaving the orphanage and entering the world of being an under-housemaid, Rose finding out new things about herself, and the disappearing children in the town.
This plot is one that I have reread multiple times because I love the worldbuilding aspects and the way that new information comes to light throughout. I also really enjoy the way that this plot tests the boundaries of children’s fiction and includes the darker elements alongside the fantastic magical elements. There is also a big theme of friendship in this book and being brave to protect your friends.

Rose Characters:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

There are many well-crafted characters in this book but Rose is the protagonist. She is exploring the new, outside world that she hasn’t experienced because of being in the orphanage and it was fun to explore it with her, especially as she finds out more secrets about herself. Freddie is the Apprentice of the magician and he is stuck up and cold in the beginning but it was really nice to see his character develop throughout the novel. There is also Isabella, the daughter of the magician, she is prone to tantrums and is frequently described as spoilt, but she is also intelligent and an integral part of this book.

Rose writing and dialogue:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

One of my favourite things about this book is how the writing stands the test of time. I enjoyed it when I was younger and I like it the same amount now, the writing style does not feel too young for me and because the plot follows child aged characters the plot doesn’t feel too young either.

Rose Overall:

I gave this book four stars because it is a book that I will happily reread multiple times.

Blurb/Synopsis:

The grand residence of the famous alchemist, Mr Fountain, is a world away from the dark orphanage Rose has left behind. For the house is positively overflowing with sparkling magic—she can feel it. And it’s not long before Rose realises that maybe, just maybe, she has a little bit of magic in her, too. . . .

The first book in an exciting, get-lost-in-the-world series about orphans, alchemy, magical powers and sinister child-catchers.

That’s it for this book review, I hope you all enjoyed it!

Bookmas 2021

Merry Bookmas Day 26 – 26th December – Winter Book Tag

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Happy Sunday bookish people! Merry Bookmas day 26! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day and that you will have a great Boxing day too. Of course I couldn’t help myself but to bring you another book tag, today’s being the Winter Book Tag.

Falling Snow: The colours of Winter are muted, choose a book that has whites, light blues and greys

Throne of Glass: Sarah J. Maas: 1 : Maas, Sarah J.: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Crackling Fire: colder weather makes for the perfect time to sit by a crackling fire, which book is best to curl up next to the fire with?

The 22 Best Agatha Christie Books, According to Goodreads Members

Ice Storm: winter storms can be brutal, what book do you love that takes the characters through a brutal season?

The Pieces of Ourselves : Maggie Harcourt: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Winter Wishes: spending more time indoors allows more time to dream and wish, which character is living a life that you dream about?

Stalking Jack the Ripper: 1: Amazon.co.uk: Maniscalco, Kerri, Patterson, James: 9780316273497: Books

Hot Cocoa: there is nothing like a hot cup of cocoa during winter, what book do you think should be the next big thing?

Rose: Book 1 : Webb, Holly: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Lip Balm and Lotion: soothing dry skin is part of winter for many, what book is full of soothing and comforting words?

The Midnight Library: Matt Haig: Amazon.co.uk: Haig, Matt: 9781786892706: Books

Peppermint Mocha: what is your winter go to food or drink?

Tea! I am always drinking tea!

That’s it for this book tag! I hope you all enjoyed seeing my answers, what would you give as your answers to this tag?

Monthly Wrap Ups

November Wrap-Up!

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Happy Monday bookish people! It is getting to the end of November and it is time to share my November wrap-up with you all. This month has gone by so quickly because I’ve had so much to do. This month has been for getting everything ready for Christmas and at last it is all done, prepared, ready. I’ve also been making all my posts for December because as I announced last week I will be trying to post every day in December, it has been fun but a lot of work. I haven’t finished them yet but I’ve done most and I am attempting to finish them today. On top of that I’ve been unwell for at least half of November and that has left very little time to read.

So, let’s talk about what I did and didn’t read and what I thought of the books!

  • A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas – I did not read this book this month, I wasn’t in the mood for a long fantasy book but I have moved this book to my December TBR
  • Vampire Brat by Angie Sage – one of the books in the Araminta Spook series and I did read this book. I liked it but it isn’t my favourite of the series.
  • Truthwitch by Susan Dennard – I did not read this book but I have moved this one to my December TBR
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas – I did not read this book
  • These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan – I did not read this book, it’s another fantasy that I just wasn’t in the mood for this month
  • The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson – I didn’t read this book
  • The Howling Hag Mystery by Nicki Thornton – I did read this book, it was interesting but not all that enjoyable for me
  • The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White – I did not read this book
  • The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino – I did not read this book
  • The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon – I didn’t read this book either
  • Take A Hint Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert – I did read this book! and it surprised me, I have posted a book review for this book if you are interested in my full thoughts
  • The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson – I did not read this book
  • Shadowscent The Darkest Bloom by P M Freestone – I did not read
  • Rose by Holly Webb – I wanted to get around to this book but in the end there wasn’t enough time
  • Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch – I am currently reading this book and I will finish it before the end of the month and I am enjoying it a lot.
  • Pages and Co by Anna James – I did read this book and I enjoyed it so much I want to get the rest of the series.
  • Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder by T A Willberg – this is another book I wanted to get to but in the end I didn’t
  • Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey – I did not read this book
  • Ghostsitters by Angie Sage – another book from the Araminta Spook series and I did read this
  • Fable by Adrienne Young – I did not read this book
  • Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody – I did not read this
  • Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare – I did not read this
  • By the Book by Amanda Sellett – I did not read this book
  • Act Your Age Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert – I did not read this book either

So I ended up reading five books off my TBR and I am in the middle of a sixth book from my TBR, outside of my TBR I read You’ll Be The Death of Me by Karen M McManus for a book tour so that makes my overall total for the month 7 books which I’m pretty pleased with.

I hope you enjoyed reading my November Wrap-up!

Monthly TBRs

November TBR

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Happy Tuesday bookish people! I was meant to be putting this post up yesterday but I ran out of time because my partner and I were visiting his parents. So I’m putting it up today instead!

This month I have used the prompts for Believathon round 4: Escape from the Jungle – hosted by Gavin from How To Train Your Gavin on YouTube, but I am twisting the rules just a little bit…

The premise of the Readathon is to read middle grade books that fit the prompts – there are thirty prompts in total. I don’t own that many middle grade books so I am just going to use any books I have to fit the prompts and get some of the middle grade I own in there as well.

Onto my TBR for November!

November TBR:

  • Take A Hint Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert – This is from my October TBR but I still want to read it so I have moved it to this month
  • Rivers of London by ben Aaronovitch – another book taken from my October TBR
  • Act Your Age Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert – and another brought from October
  • Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas – it is about time I read this book, I have had the whole series for ages now
  • The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson – have read one or two of her books before and really enjoyed them so I am looking forward to this one.
  • The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon – this is a series I have seen a lot of good things about
  • The Howling Hag Mystery by Nicki Thornton – this is the first middle grade book on my TBR so I’m excited to get this one on there
  • Rose by Holly Webb – this is a book that was a favourite of mine when I was a child and I am looking forward to trying it again now
  • Fable by Adrienne Young – I love books that feature water so I have high hopes for this one
  • Shadowscent by P M Freestone – I’m not sure how I will find this one but hopefully I enjoy it
  • A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas – I’m so excited to finally get around to reading this one and to be back with Feyre and Rhysand
  • Pages and Co by Anna James – another middle grade that sounds like it will be really good
  • Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder by T A Willberg – this was on my October TBR but now I am really in the mood to read it
  • The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino – I’m scared to read this one
  • Ghostsitters by Angie sage
  • Vampire Brat by Angie Sage
  • Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey – a book about a book shop, I’m definitely excited about it
  • Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare – I am excited but scared to read this book
  • The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson – I love the cover of this book
  • By the Book by Amanda Sellet – I really want to read this book immediately
  • These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan – I love books with fae in them
  • Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
  • The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White
  • Daughter of the Burning City by Amanda Foody

That’s it for my October TBR I hope you enjoyed it and let me know in the comments if you have read any of these and what you thought of them!